TK VS CHIJ (OLN)

National First Round (Seniors) 2nd Match
TKP vs CHIJ (OLN)

20-20

The Seniors had their biggest game in the first round today. It was against CHIJ (OLN), the team they lost to in the national 3rd/4th placing match last year. TKP needed to win to top the group so as to avoid giants like St Margs and Kellock in the quarter finals. Looking at their opponents who were much taller than our girls, I somehow felt nervous for TKP. Being there as a reporter, I began to witness a roller-coaster emotional match.

Sarah blocking a pass

Liz showing how it is done...Look at her wrist as she released the ball

It was a ' killer ' afternoon as the weather was scorching hot until some of the netballers had to pour water on to their heads to cool down. Anyway, the match soon started. For the first quarter, the score was 5-5, an even encounter with both sides tightening their defence. Our defence was not very good as they kept giving penalty shots to CHIJ(OLN). The game went smoothly until the second quarter when TK was down by three! Everyone was shocked. Mr Njoo then told them to play much better and try not to be affected by the hot weather.

Ting Fang initiating another attack

Olivia putting 100% effort to intercept the ball

Being encouraged by their coach, the Seniors fought back with all their might and made an amazing come-back in the third quarter leading by 1 goal. However, the last quarter was really upsetting. I think they were exhausted and the heat was almost killing them. TKP had more of the ball but wasted them with poor shooting and sloppy passes.

Dayanara splits to get a pass from Liz

They could have killed the game but during the last seconds, Liz (GA) had a chance to shoot. Usually, under normal circumstances, she would have put it in. However, she missed but luck shone on TKP and Dayanara (GS) got the rebound and tried to score, this time the distance between the shooter and the post was very near and my heart stopped because I knew if we shot it in, we would have won the match and a place in the semi-finals would have been assured with an easier quarter-final grouping. She missed too!!!Somehow, the post was like a magnet that sort of repel the ball away instead of attracting it. Guess what?!?! Lady luck shone on us for the third time, Liz got the rebound and attempted a shot again, you would have bet your last dollar that this time after a thrid attempt, the ball would have finally found its way into the hoop but... she missed! Then, " BEEP!!!" time was up and the match was over. What a way for the match to end. I could see the relief on the faces of the OLN players and coach. Grrr...I was speechless...Why did we shoot ourselves in the foot in a game we could definitely win.

Liz getting a good pass in another TKP attacking move

Then I realised that is the beauty of sports. Nothing is assured and unexpected things do happen. I bet a million dollars that if this was a training match, those three attempts would have found its way into the hoop but then it didn't. I definitely feel for the girls and Mr Njoo and Ms Noormala, they must have been gutted that they had let a victory slipped from their grasps. Anyway, all is not lost yet. To top the group, TKP needs to have a better goal difference than OLN.

Analysis:


First match


TKP vs Unity 39-8 so the goal difference is +31


OLN vs OLGC 31-5 so the goal difference is +26


We are in the lead by 5 goals. So in the final match of the first round, TKP vs OLGC and OLN vs Unity will be the decider. From what I have seen, OLN has the edge, Unity is definitely an easier opposition than OLGC which means TKP will find it harder to put in the goals. Furthermore, in the first game, Mr Njoo put in the reserves to play against Unity and our score was not that impressive and TKP will have to play the final match earlier which means when OLN plays Unity, they would know how many points they will need to score to top the group. So I feel the odds are against us. However, it is through adversity that brings out the best in TKP netballers. Therefore, I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope we will score a barrage of goals on Friday!

COME ON TKP!!! FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

Vikki looking for someone to pass

From the coach's table:

No point harping on this match. We will have to keep our focus for the next match. The math is simple on Friday. We just need to have a better scoreline than OLN even though our opponent is tougher than OLN's.



From the look of things, St Margs, Kellock and Evergreen will top their respective group. The last group, which is ours will be decided this Friday. These are the permutations. If we top the group, we will only face one of the three mentioned in the quarter finals. If we are runner-up, then we will have to face two of the three which will then make it very hard to reach the semi-finals and achieved our target of a top 4 placing.


So, I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope the seniors will let their performances do the talking and play the game of their lives and score. Hoping to score at least 40 or more goals and make it difficult for OLN. We'll see!